Connecticut has launched a state-sponsored directory connecting businesses with social media content creators, marking what officials describe as the first such initiative by a U.S. state government.

The Connecticut Content Creator Collaborative went live at an event at the New Britain Museum of American Art, according to Hartford Business. The directory allows businesses, municipalities, and nonprofits to search for content creators by target audience age, areas of interest, and social media platforms.

Influencers will self-register on the site, with entries vetted by state staff before publication, said Anthony Anthony, Connecticut’s Chief Marketing Officer. The initiative represents one of Anthony’s final announcements before stepping down in February after nearly three years as the state’s first marketing chief.

“They are no longer just another voice,” Anthony said of content creators. “They are a strategy for people to connect.”

Creator Participation and Pricing

The launch event drew approximately 200 attendees who met with roughly 20 content creators, according to Hartford Business. Stephanie Caron and Josh Krasnecky, who operate “The New England Couple” with 45,000 TikTok followers and 340,000 Facebook followers, attended the event.

“This is an amazing opportunity for small business owners and content creators in Connecticut,” Caron said. “This is a massive thing that no other state is doing. So, you are giving business access to marketing that has never been reached before.”

Kathleen Roche of “Connecticut Bucket List,” whose content covers spas, restaurants, and local attractions, said she typically charges approximately $1,500 to begin working with a business. 

“It’s really helpful for businesses in Connecticut to find creators,” said Roche. “Before, you had to really get involved on Instagram, really get to know your community and find your target audience. It takes a lot of time, and not all businesses have that time. So, to have this online directory is really such a streamlined way to find creators whose audiences are exactly our target audience.”

The directory launch comes as educational institutions expand creator economy programming. Syracuse University established the first U.S. academic center dedicated to education on the creator economy in October 2025, combining resources from its business and communications schools. Goldman Sachs projects the creator economy will reach nearly $500 billion by 2027.

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